Jhlopez

The liquid is what they tell you but I switched to protein shakes pretty early too. The protein will fill you up. Just be careful bacause if you drink too fast you will feel like you are having a heart atack!!I was banded last October and am down 70lbs.

Try to be patient. I had two years from my first appointment untill my surgery date. It may be a few more weeks but if you did nothing at all, what would you weigh???? Lapband is not as rapid of weight loss as some think. You have to be patient now because after surgery you may be dissappointed when the weight isn't falling off overnight. Concentron what has gotten you to your current weight and remember that it takes a lot of motivation and strength to lose it. Good luck!!!

Josephine, it says on your reply that you were banded Nov, 2005 but you were celebrating your 5 month anniversary. You have done great and I was just wondering if your surgeryu date was supposed to read Nov, 2007 ??

Congrats to you!!! I am a slow loser. I was banded Oct 17, 2007 and I am down 40lbs. I am happy with it. I started out at 234 so I was not expected huge numbers at first. We are all different. My friend was banded two days after me and has only lost 20lbs because she has not been following the restrictions. NO eating and drinking together!!!! I was advised to stay away from "salty-crunchies and soups" because you never really get too full and it tricks your mind to keep going. Try your best to stick to real food after your mushy stage. Bread never stays down for me so that was a big mourning process. Remember, it doesn't matter how fast you lose it, I think for your weight, 100lbs is realistic the first year. Don't be too obcessed with the scale. Let the doctor weigh you and you just take care of your responsibilities after surgery. It took me three months to lose the first 20lbs but it is coming off better now that my band has 7.0ccs in it. The new bands are larger and more comfortable on the stomach but take a little longer to get you to the spot where you really feel like you have the tool that helps you. Ideally, you want to get to the point where you can eat a bite or two of anything without getting sick and a bite is no longer a mouthful but the size of your fingertip. Chew until you feel no more texture and wait 30-60 seconds before taking another bite to let your food have time to pass the esophagus and get to your band. It really is a process that is different for us all but those are just a few tips that everyone I've spoken to can agree on. Best wishes to you. You'll do great!!!! Here is my email in case you have any questions and I'm not logged on to see. jhlopez@aol.com

You should be fine as long as you don't have any heavy lifting. Good luck!!

Cottage cheese and a scrambled egg work for me in the morning. string cheese is a great grab and go snack but boy does it hurt getting stuck i you don't chew it well enough!

Congratulations! Now the real work begins. Remember, follow the diet because it is possible to have the band and not lose weight. It is a tool. Good Luck. Use your tool well and the results will speak your success!

I have noticed that about two weeks after I get a fill I lose the restriction. I have about 3.7cc in my VG10cc band. I had great restriction that helped get me through the holidays but I am finding myself now with very little restricion. Does anyone else loosen up shortly after a fill?

Karen, also, remember to drink a lot of water. Stay away from any carbonated drinks because they will expand your pouch with air.

Karen, Don't give up . I am having the same problem with the hunger. It is so hard to take a bit and wait a minute. Try to take a bite, chew 30 times and put your fork down between bites. I make it like a game and even have my kids help to remind me. It is so funny when my 6 yr old is eating with me. She watches my face with each bite and says, "did it go down momma?" They can now tell by the look on my face if it did or not. I work in a hospital on the floor that gets all the bariatric patients. I am one of 4 staff members who got banded in 2007 and they all agree that not one of us is like the other and we all have to figure out what works for us as individuals. For me, cottage cheesse and yogurt satisfy me. Good luck to you and Happy New Year!!!!

yes, it is normal to lose a bit in the band. I had 3.5 put in my first fill and when I went back for another I only had 2.2 left in it. He added 1.5 so I only have 3.7cc now. If there is any air in your band some of the saline can evaporate.

You poor thing. When I was 4 days post op I decided to test my band by trying some nice, juicy chicken. I felt like I was having a heart attack This was the only time I had to drink to wash down the blockage. Unfortunately, it takes a few days after the fill before having any real food. Remember, chewing is the key! Good luck to you!